Labeling-machine



G. S. MORRIS.

LABELING MACHINE.

. I APPLICATION FILED MAY29,19|9. 1,344,426. Patented June 22, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

G. S. MORRIS.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man MAY 29. 1919.

1,344,42 Patented June 22,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' wvewtoz attomwqs G. S. MORRIS.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 29. 1919.

1 44,426. Patented June 22, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. S. MORRIS.

LABELING MACHINE. r APPLICATION FILED MAYZQ. I919- 1,344,426. PatentedJune22,1920. I

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES GEORGE'JSL MQRRISQOF JACKSON; MICHIGAN.

LABELING-MACHINE:-

ap licationfiled May'29, 1919. Serial 1Tb. 300 719.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be itknown that I, GEORGE S. Monms, a citizen of the United States,- residing at. Jackson, in the county'rof Jackson andState of h Iicl1igan,. lrave invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Labeling-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being: had to the accompanying drawings.

An object of this invention is to provide a mechanism to prepare labelsfor applica tionto the articles which are of suchshape and size that they do not lend themselves readily to beinghandled by label applying mechanism. In other words, this invention is to facilitate the application of labels to such articles by hand and relates particularly to a machine for preparing of the labels by applying paste thereto, and presenting the labels to an operator for appli cation toarticles. being handled manually.

The methods heretofore practised fo'rap plymglabels to articles of shapes not'conveniently handled by a macliine for the aua tomatic application of labels, usually include the'spreadlng of the labels overa large table-and applying 'paste'to the labels on' the table by the use of ab'rush'; and then picking up the labels by hand one'atlatime and applying them to thearticles. This method. is practisedfor applying labels to agricultural tools', such as-hoes, rakes, forks and the like, and involvedconsiderable waste of time in bringing thefarticles to a position immediately adjacent thetable and in*re'ach ing for the labels which must be very ca'refully picked up and wrapped around the handle of the forkorhoe' or sinlil'ariinplement. Amore specific object of this invention is to provide machine for automati cally taking the labels from a'pile and conveying them to a piosition immediatelyadjacent to arack: or frame forholding' alarge nlnnber of the implements to be labeled, and presenting the labels toi an operator so thathe may pickthem up. with"a minimum amount ofmovementof the hand and without difiiculty in grasping them or removing them fronrthe surface onwhieh they are carried.

In the useo-f the prese11tinethods of labeling such-articles it hasbeen proven that the greatest amonntrof timedslost in apply ing the paste and in :eachi-n g "for and picking up the labels;- Accordmgly the speed at which these labelsmay be applied may-be paste receptacle: showing very greatly increased by the use of a mach ne such as comprises the subject matter of this invention.

Additional objects of the invention are to construct such a-machil'ie that-it may be very simple, durable and capable of beingcheaply manufactured and effective in operation.

I have illustrated a convenient embodimentof my invention in the drawings hereof. The method of accomplishingthe above andotherobjeets will become more appare'nt S pecifie ationof Letters Patent. Patgnted'ifune 1920 in the following description which relates to the drawings. The essential characteristics are summarized in the ClitlIIlS.

. In the drawings, Figure 1 is aside elevation ofthe machine embodying my inventlon- Fig. 2 is aplanof the same; Fig. 3 is an end'eleva-tion ofthe machine; Fig. 4 is a detail in the nature of a section of the label supporting device with parts inelevation; F 1g. 5*is a side elevationof the left hand end ofthe machine as shown in Fig. 1, illustrating some of the parts in different positions; Fig. 6 is a sectional detail through a paste applying rollers therein. j Describing the parts by use ofre'fer'ence characters, the frame of, the machine has corner posts designated 1. Secured to the upper" ends of i the'posts are longitudinal structural members 2. Transverse members 4t=each connect and brace adjacent corner posts, while the structural members 2 are connected by plate-like strips '5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, each of which have functions of carrying parts of the 'machine.

' The lower portion .of the frame'is longitu ported in bearing blocks 17 and 18 fixed to the frame plate 5. The pulley. '15 isfshown asmounted on ashaft=20 supported in bearing blocks-21 and 22. Thesebearing' blocks are slidably fittedto plates 2 1- and 25 respectively, inoun ted on the frame plate 9,

which is threaded a screw 27 rotatable in on the screw, whereby rotation of. the screw m'aymove the bearing blocks 21- and 22' car- ,andare'connected by a crossmember 26 into bearings .2812LI1Cl having a handwheel 29.. Between thebearings '28 is a collar 30 rigid rying the shaft 20 and pulley 15 longitudinally of the machine to adjust the tens on of the belt 12.

The belt may be intermittently progressed so that its upper reach moves toward the left hand end of the machine by a suitable step by step mechanism. 1 have shown on the shaft 16 a ratchet wheel adapted to be engaged by a downwardly projecting dog 33 rigid, with the upper end of an arm 34 rotatably embracing an eccentric member 35 of a drive shaft 36. The drive shaft 36 may be constantly driven by any suitable means, which will result in rotating the pulley 14 by a step by step movement. The

dog 33 preferably moves from one tooth to the next of the ratchet 33 and is urged into such engagement by a spring 38, connected with the arm 34 and the frame of the machine. The drive shaft 36 is shown as having bearings 39 mounted on the frame member 10.

Bracket arms preferably formed of heavy fiat metal strips are indicated at 40 as extending over the top of the frame member 2 adjacent to the belt 12, then downwardly to support a paste receptacle 42 shown as carried on a plate 43 adapted'to rest on outward extensions of the bracket arms 40. Below the bracket arms 40 are bearing brackets 44 secured thereto and carrying separated parallel shafts 45 having at their ends intermeshing gears 47. A cam arm is rigid 011 the shaft adjacent to each end of each shaft as indicated at 48 and 49. These arms are rounded at their outer ends as 111- dioated in Fig. 3, and are adapted to engage the plate 43 supporting the paste receptacle to raise or lower the receptacle as the shafts are rotated. This rotation may be accomplished by means of a. handle 50 on one of the shafts. Guide pins 52 are shown as carried by the plate 43 and extend downwardly through the bracket arms 40, to guide the receptacle and prevent it from lateral or longitudinal shifting while permitting its vertical movement when raised by the arms 48 and 49.

lVithin the receptacle 42 is a cylindrical drum 54 011 a shaft 55 carried in' hearings threaded through nuts 64 embracing a transverse frame strip 7 which projects from the frame a sufficient distance to provide for the bearings 63 embracing the roller 62 and allowing the roller to be the width of the belt, as are the rollers 54 and 60. The roller 62 is shown so positioned as to come between the rollers 54 and 60. The belt is arranged to travel between rollers 54 and 60 on the one side and the-roller 62 on the other.

Adjacent to the pulley 14 and normally bearing against the lower reachof the belt is a platen carried by vertical supporting rods 72 extending through and adjustably secured to an extension of the transverse plate strip 6 by nuts 74. The labels to be applied to the articles, and which are presented by the belt 12' to the operator, are first mounted in a stack at on a plate 81 formed on the upper end of a vertically reciprocating plunger 82, slidably fitted in a casing 83 carried by a supporting bracket 84 mounted on an adjacent member 10. In the lower end of the casing 83 is a plunger 85 having a lateral projection movable in a vertical slot in the casing and carrying a roller 86 while a spring 88 is interposed be tween the plunger 85 and the plate 81 as shown particularly in Fig. 4. The roller 86 is adapted to be acted upon by an actuating cam in the nature of a short radial arm 90, mountedon the shaft 36, whereby the plunger 85 may be moved upwardly, moving the plunger 82 and plate 81 with the labels 8O thereon, to urge them, against yielding pressure of the intervening spring, against the belt 12 at a point where it is supported against deflection by the platen 70.

Surplus paste" on the belt 12 may be removed by a scraper 92, preferably set to bear against the belt as it turns over the pulley 14 and arranged on an angle whereby its arcuate inner edge 94 (as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2) may closely fit the belt for its entire width and at the same time be presented to the belt at an angle with relation to its direction of travel. This scraper 92 is shown as securedto one end of oneof the frame members 2. The paste so scraped from the belt may fall into a receptacle 96 directly'beneath the scraper and carried on a supporting arm 97 projecting from a corner post l'ofthe frame.

The advantage. of the use of this machine andm'anner of gaining the objects herein set out are made more clear by the following description of the operation of the machine. 1

Assuming, for example, that the operator desires to apply labels to the handles of a large number of hoes, any suitable support in the nature of a rack or other device (not shown) is provided wherebyhe may reach for the article with one hand and most conveniently reach theupper surface of the belt just .as it turns downwardly over the pulley 14 with the other. The paste reforwardly along the upper reach of the. belt tothe operator. The intermittent movement of the belt allows only enough time" tOlQIHOVG the labels from theupper reach of the belt at a point nearest the operator, that a is, just above the pulley 14. Thus the'arti usages-*- ceptacle having been suitably filled with adhesive material of the character and con sistency desired, the handle is operated to raise the receptacle through the cam arms 48 and 4-9untilthe rollers 5eland '60 engage the belt, as shown in Fig: 51* The roller 62' engages the upper sideof the belt between these two. rollers at a point between the contact points of the rollers 54 and and pre- -vents undue deflection, and allows ready adjustment of the pressure of these rollers on-the-belt, by raising the paste receptacle through the mechanism described the desired amount; A pack or stack of the labels to be used "is-then arranged as at 80 on" the platform 81. Now the application of power to the shaft 36 actuates the arm 34 and dog 38 causing it to advance the ratchet wheel, 32 and intermittently rotate'the pulleynli accordingly advancing the belt. This same rotation of the shaft36'also causes the cam arm 90 to engage the roller 86, raising-the pliiuiger" and presentingthe stack of labels to the under side of the belt. The surfaceof the belt'ca'rries' a'smallamount of paste which may be applied, to startjthc operation, by manually-moving the belt past the paste applying rollers. The paste applying operation is automatic thereafter. 1 The surplus paste is scrapedofi' by the scraper 92 and falls into the receptacle 96, leaving a comparatively thin film. 'of' paste on the surface of this'belt, which is-preferably of rubber or like material, at least being pros vided with a non'absorbentslightly yielding surface. This film of paste is just su'fii'c'ient to causetho uppermost label; which is presented with its printed side toward the belt, to adhere thereto but is notsulficient to deface or blurthe matter on th'el'abel. These labels thus secured to the belt pass over the roller 54, receiving a considerable amount of paste which covers the under surface of the label. As the operation continues labels continue to be applied, andadh'ering to the belt, pass upwardly over the pulley 15 and do to which the label is to be applied may be grasped by one hand and" the label by the other and quickapplication' may be accomplished. During the interval of apply-f ingthe label by hand, the belt is advanced to present the next label to him. After the label is removed the paste is then not "evenly distrilnited on the belt owing to application ofpaste over the area surrounding the labels aswell as on the blank surface of-thelabel; As each portion of. the belt passes the scraper, however, the surplus paste is re moved andthat remaining on the belt is side of the labels. The eccentric 35 and cam 90 are so arranged on the shaft that'the plunger is downwhile the belt is being advanced and the belt is stationary when the plunger is'moved upwardly to present labels .thereagainst,.so that the uppermost label of the stack may adhere to the belt andthe stack may not be otherwise disturbed by any lateral motion, such as would occur if the belt were to move while the stackwere in contact therewith.

The paste. receptacle is preferably shown longitudinally shiftable on the plate 43, there being a stop 100 in the direction toward which it tends to move with the movemento-f the belt, butan additional=adjustment of the r0ller's54t an'd60 may be had with relation to the roller '62, by longitudi nally shifting the paste receptacle on theplate 43, forwardly from the stop asshown in l 'g. 6. The roller 60 obtains the proper pressure on the belt by, slight distortion from its normal course-and also evenly dis-- tributes thepaste thereto.

From'the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a machinefor presented; -T-he invention lends itself to many adjustments and adaptations of this character, and itis found that one operator mayapply very many more labels, in *fact several times asinany labels, in a given length oftime as by the handmethod of applying paste tolabels-and. picking'them from large table platform- I aving thus describedmy what I claim is:

1'. In a devicc of the characterdescribed, the combination of a traveling conveyer,

invention,

meansfor supporting a stack of labels spaced" from said' 'conveyer, means for intermittently moving said supporting means 7 against said conveyor andfor placing labels from said stackonto said conveyer one label ata time, means for applying paste to the exposed surface of the labels on the conveyer, and means forprogressing the conveyer to bring the labels to an operator for removal and application to an article to be 2. I11 a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyer, means for applying paste to the surface of the conveyer, means for presenting a stack of labels to the conveyer whereby the foremost label may adhere thereto, said last mentioned means being so positioned with relation to the paste applying means that the labels pass said applying means and whereby paste is applied to the exposed surface of the labels, and means for progressing the conveyer to bring the labels thereon to an operator.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyer, means for applying paste to the surface of the conveyer, a carrier for a stack of labels, means for presenting one labelat a time to the conveyer whereby its exposed surface may have paste applied thereto by said first mentioned means, and means for progressing the conveyer. a

i. A device of the character described, comprising a belt conveyer, separated pulleys over which said conveyer may run, a paste receptacle, a roller for transmitting paste to the outer surface of the conveyer belt, means for advancing the belt intermittently past a discharge point, a reciprocating carrier for supporting a stack of labels between said point and the paste roller in advance of the latter, and means for reciprocating said carrier timed with relation to the belt advancing means to present the labels to the belt when it is stationary.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a belt conveyer, separated pulleys over which said conveyer may run, a paste receptacle, a roller for transmitting paste to the outer surface of the conveyer belt, means for advancing the beltintermittently, a reciprocating carrier for supporting a stack of labels, means for reciprocating said carrier, timed with relation to the belt advancing means to present the labels to the belt when it is stationary,said carrier being positioned at the forward side of said paste applying means, whereby the labels adhering to thebeltpass the paste receptacle so that the exposed surface thereof receives paste. c

6. In a device of the character described, the combination ofa belt conveyer, a paste receptacle adjacent to the belt and having a roller for applying paste to the surface of the belt, means for presenting a stack of labels to the belt so that the label in' contact with the belt adheres thereto by reason of a the paste on the belt, said means being positioned in advance of the paste applying means, whereby the exposed surface of the labels may contact with the paste roller.

7 In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyer, a paste receptacle adjacent to the conveyer and having a roller applying paste to the surface of the conveyer, a scraper having an edge fitting the conveyer to remove surplus paste therefrom, and a reciprocating carrier for a stack of labels adapted to present the labels to the conveyer so that the label in contact with the conveyer adheres thereto by reason of the paste on the conveyer, said reciprocating carrier being positioned in ad vance of the paste applying means and after the scraper. V

8. In a device of the character described the combination of a belt conveyer, sepa rated pulleys over which said belt may run, a paste receptacle adjacent to the belt and having a roller applying paste to the surface of the belt, an automatically reciprocating carrier for a stack of labels adapted to present the labels to the belt, and means for advancing the belt intermittently in synchronism with said reciprocating carrier,

whereby the labels are brought to an operator who may remove them before they reach said scraper.

9. A machine for applying paste to labels and for bringing the labels to an operator, including the combination of a belt conveyer, pulleys overwhich the belt may run, a paste receptacle, a roller for transmitting paste therefrom to the surface of the belt, means for removing surplus paste from the surface of the belt, means for rotating one of said pulleys to advance the belt inter mittently, means for presenting'a stack of labels to the belt while stationary so that the uppermost label may adhere thereto, said means being positioned forwardly of the paste applying means, so that the labels pass the paste applying means as the belt passes and whereby the paste is applied to the exposed surface of each label. v

10. A machine for applying paste to labels and for bringing the labels to an operator, includingthe combination of a belt conveyer, pulleys over which the belt may run, a paste receptacle, means for transmitting paste therefrom to the surface of the belt, a scraper having an edge presented to the belt adjacent to one pulley for removing surplus paste from the surface of the belt, means for intermittently advancing the belt, and means for present ing labels to the belt in synchronism with tension of the belt, means for advancing the label may adhere tiereto.

12. 111 a device ofthe character described,

.the combination of a conveyer beltfmeans for applyingpaste'to the belt, at the outer side thereof, means for intermittently pressing a stack of labels'to-the outer side of the belt-ahead of'thepaste applyingmeans, a

platen bearingagainstithe inner-side of the belt oppositethe stack of labels and means for advancingthe belt when the stack is out of engagement with'the belt.

13. :In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of separated.pulleys, a belthaving a nonabsorbent surface and running-over said pulleys, a paste receptacle having a roller for presenting paste to the belt at theouter sidethereof, means for intermittently pressing a stack of labels to the outer side of the-beltahead of the paste applying roller,'an adjustable platen bearing against the inner side of the belt opposite-the stack of'labels, and means in synchronism with said first mentioned means for intermittently rotating one of said pulleys to progress the belt.-

14:. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a pair'ofseparated pulleys, a' belt having a nonabsorbent surface and running over saidpulleys, a paste re-- ceptacle having a roller for presenting paste to the beltat theouter side thereof, means for intermittently presenting a "stack of labels to the outer side of the belt ahead of the paste applying roller,-a platen bearing against the inner side of the belt opposite thestack of labels,a ratchet rigid with one of the pulleys, a shaft havingadog connected therewith, engagingisaid ratchet for intermittently rotating the pulleys and means on said shaft for actuating the -label carrying means, and means for removing surplus paste from the belt ahead of the label carrying means. 7

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of separated pulleys, a conveyer belt running over saidpulleys, a paste receptacle beneath the conveyer belt, separated rollers in the paste receptacle, one of said rollers being adapted to present paste to the outer surface of the belt, a roller bearing against theinner surface of the belt between the first mentioned rollers, means for vertically adjusting said paste receptacle, means for advancing the belt, and means for presenting a stackof labels to the undersurface of the belt ahead of the paste receptacle.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of a pair of separated pulleys, a conveyer belt running over said pulleys, a paste receptacle beneaththe conveyer belt, separated rollers in the paste rethe surfaceofthebelt and tothe exposed ceptacle, one of said rollers being adapted to present paste to theouter surface of the belt, a roller bearing againstthe inner surface of the belt; between the first mentioned rollers,

a platform on which the paste receptacle .may rest and bemoved longitudinally of the belt, means for verticallyadjusting said platform, means for advancing the belt and meansfor presenting a stack ofrlabels to the under surface of the belt ahead .of the paste receptacle.

for operatingsaid dog to advancethe belt intermittently, a 1reciprocating member .for carrying aistack of labels and means on the last named-shaft for moving said member to present thelabels to the belt'when the belt is stationary, and means 'for applying pasteto surface of the labels carried thereby.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyer, means to .advance the conveyer intermittently, a plunger for carrying a stack of labels,ia-spring supporting theplunger, reciprocating means engagingthe spring to actuate the' plunger to present the labels to the conveyer when the conveyer is stationary, and meansxfor applying paste to the surface of the conveyer and to the exposed surface of the labels carried thereby. p

19. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, shafts carried thereby, a face pulley on each shaft, a belt running over said pulleys, a ratchet rigid with one of saidshafts, a reciprocating dog for engaging said ratchet, a plunger positionedbeneath-the lower reach of the belt and adapted to carry a stack of labels, constantly driven means for actuating said means adapted to present paste over the full width of the belt as it advances whereby the exposed surface of the labels may receive lei plunger and said dog, and paste applying ating said plunger, a scraper having a curved edge fitting-the surface of the belt where it turns over one of said pulleys and positioned at an angle with relation to the direction of movement of the belt, paste applying means adaptedto present paste over the full width of the belt as it advances away from the scraper and stacl: of labels whereby paste is applied to the surface of the belt to cause the labels to adhere thereto and whereby the exposed surface of the labels may receive paste.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, a shaft adjacent each end thereof, a face pulley on each shaft, a belt running over said pulleys, longitudinally of the frame, means for moving one of such shafts to readjust the tension of the belt, a ratchet rigid with one of said shafts, a reciprocating "dog for engaging said ratchet, a plunger positioned beneath the lower reach of the belt and adapted to carry a stack of labels, constantly driven means for actuating said plunger and said dog, a scraper fitting the surface of the belt where it turns over one of said pulleys, paste ap plying means adapted to present paste over the full width of the belt as it advances away from the scraper and stack of labels whereby paste is applied to the surface of the belt to cause the labels to adhere thereto and whereby the exposed surface of the labels may receive paste, the device lending itself to the removal of the labels at any point prior to their reaching said. scraper.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, shafts supported on the frame, pulleys on said shafts, a conveyer belt running over said pulleys, a ratchet on one of said shafts, a dog engaging the ratchet, another shaft carried by the frame and having an eccentric arm operated by the eccentric and carrying the dog, a spring for urging the dog into engagement, a reciprocating member for carrying a stack of labels, means on the last named shaft for moving said member to present the labels to the belt, means for applying paste to the surface of the belt and to the exposed surface of the labels carried thereby.

23. In a device of the character described the combination of a conveyer, a paste receptacle, a support for the paste receptacle, means for vertically adjusting said support including the parallel shafts, cam arms rigid with the shafts, gearing connecting the shafts, means for manually rotating one of said shafts, means for presenting a stack of labels to the conveyer ahead of the paste applying means, and means for advancing the conveyer.

24;. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a conveyer, means for applying adhesive tothe surface of the conveyer, means for presenting labels to the conveyer, and means for removing surplus adhesive from the conveyer, the

label'presenting means coacting with the conveyer between the adhesiveremoving and adhesive-applying means.

25. In a machine of the character described, thev combination of an endless conveyer, a receptacle containing adhesive and a roller in constant engagement With the adhesive and the conveyer, means for removing surplus adhesive from the conveyer, and means for presenting labels to the conveyer, the parts being cyclically arranged so that after the backs of the labels have received adhesive and they have been removed from the conveyer, the surplus adhesive is removed from the conveyer and the -uniform continuity of the coating of adhesive on the conveyer is restored, before presenting additional labels to the conveyer.

26. In a machine of the character described, the combination of an endless conveyer, means for applying adhesive to the surface of the conveyer, a scraper for re moving surplus adhesive and insuring uni form coating on the outer surface of the conveyer, and means for presenting labels to the conveyer, said parts being arranged cyclically with respect to the conveyer whereby adhesive is first applied to the surface of the conveyer, the surplus removed, the faces of the labels applied in succession to the conveyer, adhesive applied to their backs, and the labels brought to a position for removal, before the continuity ofthe adhesive coating on the conveyer is restored by the scraper preparatory to receiving additional labels.

27'. The combination of a conveyer, means for applying the obverse of labels thereto, means for thereafter applying adhesive to the reverse of the labels and adjacent por tions of the conveyer and means adapted to act after the label is removed for removing surplus adhesive from the conveyer.

28. In combination, an intermittently moving conveyer, means synchronized with the conveyer for applying the obverse of labels thereto, means for thereafter applying adhesive to the reverse of the labels and adjacent portions of the conveyer and means adapted. to act after the label is removed for removing surplus adhesive from the conveyer in advance of the application of a new label to that region of the conveyer.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

GEORGE S. MORRIS. 

